Who are the top players for Minnesota United U-15s?

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Minnesota United U15 team has some very exciting 2009 players and the hope is that those players become dominant at this level next year or graduate to the U17 level. The 2008 class has not developed as hoped, but there are a couple of players that still have a decent ceiling. The 2009 players are potentially Youth National Team level and homegrown level if they develop properly, but that is a big if as Minnesota has not proven to be a great development academy and club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">My grading system</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I use a numerical scoring framework to grade players. I look at what I consider to be the most important traits and skills for each position and apply a numerical value to each of those categories. I take into account the age of the player when grading for each category. The categories include physical traits, technical ability, intellectual understanding of the game and their mentality in how they approach the game. I average those individual scores in order to generate a holistic grade of the player. The score helps me identify what tier of prospect a player is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 1</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact Youth National Team Player, often times playing up an age group</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact club player, often times plays up an age group and still heavily impacts games</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the fast track to the first team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 2:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Depending on strength of the age group, likely Youth National Team pool or core player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High impact player within his age group</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Potential future first team player</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier 3:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the outside looking in to the Youth National Team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Consistently one of the more impactful players on his club team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On track for a look in MLS Next Pro, USL or NCAA soccer</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Possesses some high level skills or traits, but also holes in his game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">CB, Mohammad Bojang (2008)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bojang is an interesting CB prospect that has some potential if he becomes more tactical and consistent. Bojang has pretty good size, quickness, ball control and passing ability. These are all great baseline traits to have as a center-back. The big concern right now is that he makes a lot of questionable decisions on the ball and he does not dominate his space defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">CF, Prince Massaquoi (2008)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massaquoi had some hype last year as a U14 player that played predominately with the U15 team last year. I expected him to dominate a bit more this year, but that hasn't quite happened and his finishing has been the main problem. He has been getting into dangerous positions, using his athleticism to get to those spots, but when he gets there he is failing to convert at a good level. Massaquoi has the profile of a player that could develop a bit later and be a pretty good prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> Low 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">WING/CF, Prince Forfor (2009)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forfor is a high ceiling prospect that could end up being one of the best academy players to come through the Minnesota United program if all things go to plan. Forfor has good length and has fantastic pace. He shows flashes of really good close control and has a very positive mindset. If he can become more dynamic off of the ball and if he continues to learn how to read the game at a high level he could be a homegrown level player. Forfor can play both wing and as a number 9. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">WING, [player_tooltip player_id='167862' first='Tim' last='Dennis'] (2009)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What kind of player is he? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dennis, like Forfor is another player that has the potential to be one of the best prospects to come through the Minnesota United academy. Dennis is a different type of attacker than Forfor. He isn't as big, but he has great quickness and does a great job with his first touch and he has very good dribbling ability. He is also a slightly better passer than Forfor. Dennis needs to continue to learn when to attack and be brave and when to be simple and patient. If he gets the balance right, he can be very good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tier:</strong> 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->